SEMA eNews Vol. 21, No. 14, April 5, 2018

Heavy-Duty Steel Wheels From China Subject to Unfair Trade Petition

The U.S. government has launched an investigation into whether extra-large steel wheels imported from China are being dumped or illegally subsidized. The petitioners are Accuride Corp. and Maxion Wheels Acron LLC, and the subject wheels have 22.5–24.5-in. wheel diameters, and are generally used on trucks, trailers, military and agricultural vehicles.

This is the second time in recent years that the government has investigated steel wheels from China. In 2012, the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) found that dumping (sales below fair market value) and unfair Chinese government subsidization was occurring, but the International Trade Commission (ITC) found that the imports were not injuring or threatening to injure U.S. industry and dismissed the case. The DOC will now make new preliminary calculations on whether dumping/subsidies are occurring while the ITC contacts foreign producers, exporters and U.S. importers for specific information in determining harm to U.S. industry.

The subject merchandise falls under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule categories: 8708.70.4530, 8708.70.4560, 8708.70.6030, 8708.70.6060, 8716.90.5045 and 8716.90.5059. Wheels meeting the scope description may also enter under the following subheadings: 4011.20.1015, 4011.20.5020 and 8708.99.48.50. The alleged AD (dumping) and CVD (subsidies) margins are: AD: 11.3% to 231.7%; CVD: 0.03% to 77.27%.